| Daily News - Tuesday, 18 March 2008 |
Hoy writes that with the hopes of becoming a regional supplier for car parts the Center for Exports and Investment - DR (CEI-RD) and the National Association for Free Trade Zones (ADOZONA) have signed a cooperation agreement with ASG Renaissance. ASG is an international professional services firm. CEI-RD director Eddy Martinez said that the agreement looks to define the marketing strategy to attract automotive parts suppliers and inform them of the benefits of doing business with the DR. Among those benefits include the DR's infrastructure, availability of human resources and its geographical location. Martinez explained that before the agreement was signed directors from ASG toured the free trade zones (FTZ) at Las Americas, Pisano, the Parque Cibernetico (PCSD) and the FTZ of San Isidro, among others.
The DR participated in the "Business Leaders Conference between Taiwan, Central American and the Caribbean," in Taipei, Taiwan with the goal of strengthening its already existent ties with that Asian nation. Among the participating nations were the DR, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Panama. During a reception with delegation representatives Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian highlighted the potential for increased bi-lateral relations with Taiwan. As a result of the conference the "Taipei Declaration" was signed and includes the conference's objectives. Representing the DR during the conference was Center for Exports and Investment - DR (CEI-RD) director Eddy Martinez, ITLA Dean Jose Armando Tavarez, CEI-RD investment specialist Juan Luis Lozada, CEI-RD Insurer Elisabeth Elias and CONSEL director Felix Rodriguez, among others. According to Taiwanese Regional Ambassador Eduardo Chen the challenges facing the DR include the high prices of fuel, the lack of reliable energy and increased taxes. Chen added that the DR needs a change in its business culture. Chen also spoke of the need to increase the tourist offer to the Taiwanese tourist.
PRD presidential candidate Miguel Vargas Maldonado announced yesterday his choice of former president of the Dominican Olympic Committee Jose Joaquin Puello. Puello, a leading neurosurgeon, worked closely with Vargas Maldonado, who was minister of Public Works during the organization of the 2003 Pan American Games that called for billions in construction works. Puello presided the DOC from 1982-2003.
Minority parties also chose their vice presidential candidates at the Monday deadline.
Cuarta Via Presidential candidate Eduardo Estrella has named Hatuey Decamps, of the PRSD (a former president of the PRD), as his vice presidential candidate. Estrella, commenting on his running mate choice, said that the nation's current situation requires a moral revolution. Decamps was the originator of the Cuarta Via scheme that primarily integrated dissidents from the PRSC and PRD parties. Decamps was Secretary of the Presidency during the Salvador Jorge Blanco PRD government 1982-84.
Guillermo Moreno of MIUCA has chosen Maria Teresa Cabrera. She is secretary general of the Dominican Association of Teachers, the public school teacher union. She studied literature and philosophy at the UASD and is an activist with the Foro Social Alternativo movement.
The PRI Trajano Santana of the PRI will run with Ana Ines Polanco, a professional politician, who had run for mayor of Santo Domingo in the 2004 election.
On Saturday, Pedro de Jesus Candelier, running for the PAP, chose physician Gilberto Tejada Jimenez.
On Monday, President Leonel Fernandez of the ruling PLD party announced that Vice President Rafael Alburquerque was again his choice for Vice President. Alburquerque is a recognized national expert on labor law, doctor in law from UASD. He was minister of Labor from 1991-2000. He has worked as coordinator of the social cabinet of the Fernandez administration.
Amable Aristy Castro, PRSC candidate, was the first to announce his running mate. He chose Jose Enrique Sued, the popular mayor of Santiago.
The Presidency reports that the DR will be recognized for its role in helping diffuse the tensions between Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador during the Rio Summit held in Santo Domingo earlier this month. The DR will be awarded, on 26 March in Panama, the Order of Emilio Maspero by the Latin American Workers Central (CLAT). Vice president Rafael Albuerquerque will receive the award on behalf of the DR. During the Summit President Leonel Fernandez was able to have the Presidents of Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia join for hugs and handshakes. The ability of Fernandez to act as a peace maker was seen a triumph of the summit and a demonstration of Fernandez's leadership abilities. The conflict, which almost escalated to armed conflict, began when Colombia entered Ecuadorian territory without permission in order to kill a high ranking FARC official.
The Conatra bus union is baiting the government into taking away its fuel subsidy, arguing that said subsidy only brings loses. In the same breathe Conatra representatives said that they would then raise urban and suburban bus fares by 25% and 30%. Reps also asked for immediate meetings with Industry and Commerce director Melanio Pardes and OPRET director Diandino Pena to discuss the new interurban bus fares that would be applied beginning next week. The prices hikes, if implemented, would take RD$12.00 to RD$20.00 and RD$20.00 fares to RD$25.00. Interurban fares would go from RD$100 to RD$125.
For those of you traveling to the North and Northeast Coasts be aware that Center for Emergency Operations (COE) officials have closed beaches in that area for 48 hours due to fears of strong wave activity due to an unusual cold front. The Weather Department expects waves of 12 feet in the area. Listin Diario writes that weather changes and strong winds are expected as part of a low pressure storm front. COE has issued green warning for Monte Cristi, Puerto Plata, Samana, Nagua, Cabrera, Rio San Juan and Miches. Small ships have also been warned of the dangers of being out on the water.
The Center for Emergency Operations (COE), respecting the wishes of the Catholic Church and other sectors have passed a resolution that prohibits any type of political campaigning on beaches, highways and in clubs during the Holy Week celebrations. The resolution was passed in order to assure peace during the week and to ensure that the focus be on the religious celebrations and not politics. Loud music and vans that drive around the city playing political music will also be banned between 20 March and 23 March. Diario Libre editorializes that the resolution is illegal.
Dominican boxer Juan Carlos Payano has earned a spot in this year's Olympic Games in China. The young boxer will be fighting in the 51 kilo weight class and has high hopes for bringing the DR an Olympic medal. Payano gained his spot after an impressive showing during the classification games held this pas weekend in Trinidad and Tobago.
In other sports news Dominican star forward Al Horford is continuing his stellar rookie season by dominating on the NBA's hardwood. In last night's contest Horford scored 12 points and pulled down 15 rebounds in a Hawks victory over the Washington Wizards. This is Horford's 19th double double of the year and his third one in March. The young rookie is among the key pieces that have revitalized the once laughing stock of the NBA and could be the key to pushing the Hawks into the 2008 playoffs.
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